27 Things People Actually Do For A Good Night's Sleep

Pamper yourself, work out, switch your position, and more.

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us what helps them get actually restful sleep. Here's what they had to say:

1. Do today what you could get done tomorrow.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I lay out my clothes and think about what I'll make for breakfast the night before, plus do something from my to-do list for the next day. Having one thing less to care about in the morning helps." —Oceansoul

2. Switch up your sleeping position.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"The only way I can beat insomnia is if I flip my pillow to the other side of the bed (toes where my head was, head where my toes were). I could be restless for hours, but as soon as I switch, I’m out within minutes!" —kameronn

3. Treat yourself to a ritual.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Decide each night at a certain time to do things you know help you relax. Run a bath, drink some tea, lay in bed with a nice book, or a combination — whatever works for you. It’s a good way to tell your body, 'It’s time to rest now.'" —abigailb408ca6edb

4. Write your thoughts down.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"My teacher gave us the advice to write all our thoughts down when we can’t sleep because we are excited or worried. Then you can go to the land of dreams, and work on your problems the next day." —danainga

5. Do something nice for your skin.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Cleansing and moisturizing my face really helps! When I bother to do it… ZzZz." —andreaw4273a7e12

6. Keep clean.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Sleep in a clean room! I always sleep better when there’s less clutter and mess around me." —Gmiller426

7. Quit yer nappin'.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

—kimberly2622

8. Skip the sleeping in.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"No caffeine after 8 p.m., and wake up early! For years I thought I had sleeping problems, but I was just laying in too late in the mornings." —kateylou

9. Try a new breathing technique.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth near your teeth and leave it there. Breathe in through your nose for three seconds, hold it in for five, then breathe out through your mouth for seven more seconds, holding your tongue still. It seems like a long time, but after the first few it becomes easier. Repeat five to 10 times." —lizzyg4d9908ae9

10. Make. Your. Damn. Bed.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"For me, a good night's rest starts by making my bed as soon as I get up in the morning. Once it's made, I don't get back in unless I want to make it again (and I don’t). When you slide into a well-made, comfortable bed, your body knows it's time to shut down." —wiXardjBird

11. Curate your own perfect place.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I imagine I’m walking into my dream room. I think about how big it is, the furniture, the colors, etc. I go into every detail, including what is in the drawers." — emileekathleenr

12. Make your bed a sacred space.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Keep your bed for strictly sleep (okay, and maybe sexy time). When you watch Netflix or TV in bed, or do other activities there, your body doesn’t think 'bed = sleep.' Do all other activities elsewhere, your body will relearn, and you’ll be able to fall asleep so much easier!" —sophiav2

13. Get physical...

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Work out about an hour before you have to go to bed. The hormones released will relax you after a stressful day, and the physical activity will exhaust you. Then take a shower with luxurious soap and lotion, and it will feel like a treat." —Naila Warren, Facebook

14. ...or just imagine getting physical.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I imagine that I'm running. I visualize everything in front of me, what I’m wearing, where I’m going, how far I’m running, etc. I also think about the smell, the temperature, and if there’s anyone around me." —emileekathleenr

15. Use a word game.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Try finding five things for every letter of the alphabet. It stops you from thinking about stressful stuff, and is boring enough to make you even more tired." — Magdalena Pietrzak, Facebook

16. Chill with some imaginary animals.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I think of approaching some of my favorite animals, like manatees, beluga whales, giraffes, and zebras, in their natural habitat. I slowly work my way around the world, going to visit wherever I feel like." —TinaRuthBelcher

17. Unplug...

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I make a concerted effort to stop using my phone at least a half hour before I fall asleep, even with a blue light filter on. Instead, I read for that half hour. It's improved my ability to fall asleep so much!" —Amy Yacullo, Facebook

18. ...and definitely clock out.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Don't keep a clock in your room! Your brain tries to do math when it looks at numbers, so when you're a little bit awake and look at the clock, your brain wakes up trying to figure out how much longer you have to sleep, which is obviously not great. If your phone is your alarm, set it, put it under something so the light doesn't bother you, and don't check it again." —Bonnie Cleveland Evans, Facebook

19. Calm yourself with scent.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"A warm bath with lavender oil and a glass of wine, then spraying a lavender linen spray onto my pillow and blankets works every time." —katelynm43b54fd4c

20. Read, but keep it simple...

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

—BookHero6

21. ...or be your own storyteller.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"On nights when my anxiety is strong, I start telling myself a little story. Even just trying to remember your day from the very beginning can help." —Sunshine Then, Facebook

22. Get lulled to sleep by your playlist...

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I have a sleep playlist that I listen to every night filled with slow, calming songs that lull me to sleep. Plus, listening to the same songs every night helps to create a nice routine." —sydneys4a4c089c2

23. ...or simply by playing a song in your head.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Something like Bob Marley usually works. I imagine the music and singing as accurately as I can. Most of the time I get so tired, I don’t even get to the end of the song!" —AimesNames

24. Keep it cool.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Making myself cold before sleeping really helps me to relax and keep comfortable when I inevitably warm up. I make my bedroom as cold as possible, take a cold shower, get into bed freezing cold, and wrap myself in a fluffy blanket." —Diana Tang, Facebook

25. Use your body to relax itself.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"My dad always told me that when I was having trouble sleeping, I should tell each individual body part from my toes to my head to go to sleep five times. By the time I get to my hair, I’m passed out and I don’t even remember where I left off the next morning." —jessieraex

26. (In the same vein, masturbate.)

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"Set the mood, start off slow, and take your time. It’ll exert a lot more energy than you’d think, and you’ll sleep like a baby after you cross the finish line." —jaed3

27. And above all, stay consistent.

Getty Images / Nora Whelan

"I've trained myself to zone out at 11:30 p.m. at the latest, and on weekends I usually get up at 7 a.m. I've never slept better." —Vic Odine, Facebook

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Want to be featured on BuzzFeed? Follow the BuzzFeed Community on Facebook and Twitter!